CVE-2018-8720 in ITSM
Summary
by MITRE
ServiceNow ITSM 2016-06-02 has XSS via the First Name or Last Name field of My Profile (aka navpage.do), or the Search bar of My Portal (aka search_results.do).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8720 affects ServiceNow ITSM version 2016-06-02 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited through user profile fields and portal search functionality. This vulnerability resides within the web application's input validation mechanisms, specifically targeting the First Name and Last Name fields in the My Profile section accessible via navpage.do and the Search bar in My Portal accessible through search_results.do. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view affected profile information or search results.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the ServiceNow platform's web interface components. When users enter data into the First Name or Last Name fields, or when they perform searches through the portal interface, the application fails to properly validate and escape special characters that could be interpreted as executable script code. This insufficient input filtering creates an environment where malicious actors can craft payloads that persist in the application's database and execute whenever legitimate users access the affected pages. The vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, where applications fail to properly encode or escape user-controllable data before rendering it in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive user information, manipulate profile data, or redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it targets user profile information and search functionality, which are frequently accessed by both regular users and administrators. This makes the vulnerability exploitable across a broad user base and potentially provides attackers with access to privileged information when administrators view affected profiles. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on establishing persistence through manipulation of web applications, and T1071.001 which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8720 should prioritize immediate patching of the ServiceNow ITSM platform to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application's user input handling processes. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against script execution in the event of incomplete input sanitization. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in custom applications and third-party integrations. Organizations should also establish robust monitoring procedures to detect unusual user behavior or unauthorized modifications to profile data that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls and privilege management should be reviewed to minimize the potential impact if the vulnerability is successfully exploited, ensuring that users cannot modify critical system information or access sensitive data beyond their authorized scope.